Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (Germany, 2012-present)

The new generation of the GL-Class was launched at the 2012 New York Motor Show and it is the brand's most luxurious truck. It is offered as four models, the GL350 BlueTec 4Matic, the GL450, the GL500 4Matic BlueEfficiency and the GL63 AMG. Mercedes is claiming that the GL350 will get 38mpg imperial in the combined cycle.

“The new GL-Class occupies the top position amongst luxury SUVs. With its comprehensive assistance systems it has a pioneering role where safety and comfort are concerned, and is on a par with an S-Class – even off the beaten track,” said Dr Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Exterior

The seven-passenger SUV has an upright front end with LED running lights and LED tail lights. It comes with 18in wheels, but 21in AMG wheels are optional. An air suspension front and rear is standard.

Interior

Inside, the GL-Class is also modeled on the S-Class with aluminum and wood accents and man-made leather. It offers between 680 and 2300 litres depending on which rows of seats are folded down. There is a 11.4cm display between the two instrument dials. There is a lager infotainment screen next to it for navigation and infotainment information. The controls for all of the off-road technology are along the center armrest.

Engines, Efficiency and Transmission

The engine options for the GL-Class are either the GL350 with a 3.0l diesel with 258hp and 620Nm of torque with a combined  fuel economy of 38mpg imperial and produces 192-209g/km of CO2 or the GL500 with a 4.7l V8 petrol engine with 408hp and 600Nm of torque with a combined fuel economy of 25mpg imperial. The GL500 produces between 262-269g/km of CO2. Both engines come with Mercedes' 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission.


GL63 AMG

The full-size, seven-passenger SUV packs a bi-turbo, 5.5l V8 with 557hp and 760Nm of torque.

The direct-injected engine uses 12.3l/100km and emitting 288g/km of CO2, but it will accelerate the behemoth to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds with an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. The transmission is Mercedes 7G-Tronic, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that includes Eco, Manual and Sport modes.

To keep the truck on the road, Mercedes has fitted the car AMG Ride Control, 4Matic and Active Curve System. AMG Ride Control includes an air ride suspension with Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes, and the curve system prevents the car from rolling.

The GL63 AMG rides on 21in, five-spoke wheels and 390 x 36 millimeters brakes in the front and 345 x 26 millimeters in the rear.

Like all of the AMG models, the GL63 gets a more upright grill with larger front air intake.